Reel Respect

 Northern Exposure fans know Elaine Miles as Marilyn Whirlwind, the heavyset receptionist who raises ostriches and dishes out cynical nuggets of wisdom. Lawrence student Jon Ray was a fan back in the day, but the sophomore at Haskell Indian Nations University had another reason for appreciating Miles' work. "When other Native Americans were playing stereotypical roles, she was playing a normal person," he says. Miles will be the visiting actor at the university's Fourth-Annual Stories N' Motion Film Festival, which kicks off at 6 tonight at Haskell Auditorium (155 Indian Avenue in Lawrence, 785-749-8404) with a performance and music-video premiere by hip-hop group Savage Family. Miles will share some of her Northern Exposure clips and stories at 8 p.m. The free festival continues from 1 p.m. to midnight Saturday with a mix of independent and big-budget films highlighting American Indian life and culture. At 5 p.m. Saturday, Miles is the host of a dinner ceremony, which costs $10 ($5 for students). Haskell Indian Nations University
Fri., March 7, 6 p.m.; Sat., March 8, 1 p.m., 2008